"Burmese Days" ( George Orwell )

Paper Summary:

"In the novel Burmese Days, George Orwell expresses a view of British imperialism that is critical and pessimistic. The era of British rule in India and related areas is called the raj, and it is this era that is addressed by Orwell in this novel. The main character is John Flory, and he represents what is known as the "pukka sahib," or the British resident who upholds British values and the British way of life to the degree possible in this far off area of upper Burma.

From the Paper:

"In the novel Burmese Days, George Orwell expresses a view of British imperialism that is critical and pessimistic. The era of British rule in India and related areas is called the raj, and it is this era that is addressed by Orwell in this novel. The main character is John Flory, and he represents what is known as the "pukka sahib," or the British resident who upholds British values and the British way of life to the degree possible in this far off area of upper Burma. Flory is deliberately contrasted with other British residents of the area, however, in that he has a real respect for the local culture and is not bigoted as are the others. The others stand for the more normal course of British imperialism, with the British lording it over a people for whom they have contempt. The strong pessimism of Orwell is seen in the way that Flory is marginalized by the British community ..."

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